Friday we arrived in Buellton, California after driving only about 2 1/2 hours. We camped in the field of an RV park (award-winning!) which conveniently abutt the parking lot of days in where the Sideways characters stayed in the movie.
Saturday we kicked off a full day of wine tasting.
First stop: Mosby Winery - known for their Italian wines. Beautiful grounds and keep your tasting glass!
Second stop: Alma Rosa. Mr. Sanford started this winery but now his name belongs to a larger winery down the street. However, he jumped ship when that winery exploded into a large operation and now his books and wines hail from Alma Rosa. We partook in an all Pinot Noir tasting followed by a potluck picnic behind the picturesque old farmhouse tasting room. Luckily we had arrived here before noon because by the time we left limos and hummer limos crammed into the parking lot.
Third Stop: Ken Brown Winery. We drove downtown Buellton to an indoor private tasting with Ken Brown's wife. Ken is a legend in the region, having assisted in opening several other wineries. Here we tasted one of the most expensive bottles of wine of the day - and it tasted gooooood.
Fourth Stop: Firestone. Here we joined a tour of the largest winery we visited over the day. Yes, this is the same family as Firestone tires. And now an even bigger company, Foley, has purchased the winery. Impressive operation. Look for this name in the store - I will have to as well because we did not do a tasting.
Fifth Stop: Several small tasting rooms in Los Olivos. We stopped at Sarloos and Sons but they had no room for tasters so we purchased 6 mini-cupcakes and enjoyed them at a picnic table outside. Across the street, Carhart Winery offered what they promised, a beautiful backyard which is a perfect end - of - the - day relaxation zone. Decent wines. And yes, this is the same family as the Carhart clothes.
On Sunday, we drove the two miles from Buellton to the Danish town of Solvang. On the way we passed an Ostrich farm ($35 for an ostrich egg). Breakfast in Solvang included the thin Danish pancakes and a Danish sausage, as recommended by Mrs. Ken Brown. I couldn't resist buying a cross stitch at the stitching store across the street.
Passed by this restaurant from Sideways on the way to Solvang.
Finally, on the way out of town, no trip to the countryside is complete without fresh berries. Blueberries Galore! To boot, we passed the cutest pygmy goats and pigs on the walk to the field.
It was a dreamy weekend indeed. We shall return before the next annual wine camp.
